Mixing valve



March 6, 1928.

W. E. LEIBING MIXING VALVE Filed Deo. 5. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet lWHfJVENTOR BY am ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 6,

UNITED STATES PATENTA OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. LEIBING, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO MAGN'US FRUITPRODUCTS CO., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A. CORPORATION OFCALIFORNIA.

MIXING VALVE.

Application led December 5, 1925. Serial No. 73,394.

This invention relates to improvements in mixing valves of the typeillustrated in Patent Number 1,299,586, dated April 8, 1919, prticularlyadapted to valves for dispensing verages formed of charges of differentliquids, such as syrup and water and csyrup water and carbonated fluid,and also to means forming part of the valve assembly for controlling theamount lof foam generated on the beverage.

An object of the invention resides in providing a valve of the characterabove mcntioned having cooperating valve casing sections for the valvebody and means for adjusting said sections relative to one another tomaintaina fluid tight bearing with the valve body operable therein tocontrol the discharge of one or more fluids in mixed or independentrelation adapted to make a beverage.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a valve structurefor controlling the discharge and mixing of a plurality of fluids forforming a beverage provided with means for controlling the formation offoam on the beverage.

A further object of the invention resides in incorporating the foamcontrol means with the structure of the discharge spout and 3o providingfor the ready manual adjustment of said means at all times.

This invention comprehends other objects flowing from the constructionand association of the. parts more particularly set forth in thefollowing description and claims directed to a preferred form of theinvention, it being understood that changes in the proportion andarrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit 0and scope of the invention as -herein set forth: l

In the drawings forming plication:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view 5 through the improved valvestructure.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the discharge spout.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of 'the main casing member showing thevalve seat portion of said member.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view through the supplemental casingmember and spout structure showing the foam controlling elements, partsbeing 'shown in elea vation.

part of this ap- Figure 5 is an end View of the casing member shown inFigure 4 showing the valve seat portion thereof.

Figure 6 is a view of the spherical valve body with the handle receivingportion in the center.

Figure 7 is anotherv view of the valve body taken at richt angles toFigure 6, and having the ports s iown in dotted lines.

Fig. 8 is a view of the spherical valve body showing the front portionthereof, as taken from the left-hand side of Fig. 1 looking'directly at.the slot therein and showing all of the passages in the body.

1 indicates the main valve casing member which is formed with a partialspherical seat portion 2 and fluid passages 3, 4 and 5 respectivelyopening through the seat portion at equi-distant points in the samehorizontal plane spaced above the center ofthe spherical surface. Theseat portion 2 is formed with recesses 6 around: each of the fluidpassages for receiving annular packing glands 7 projecting inwardly fromthe face of the seat a slight distance. The casing member 1 is formedwith a bell-shaped extension 8 adapted to cover the pipe connectionswith the valve and furnish a base for fitting a root beer barrel or thelike to which the same is suitably fastened. The seat portion 2 of thecasing member is substantially semispherical and opens at the lower sidewhere the member is formed with the enlarged threaded bore 9 inconcentric relation to the open end of the seat. The top portion of thecasing member is formed with the cross slots 10 for controlling theoperation of the valve member in a manner to be described.

A spout member 11 is provided with an enlarged end portion having athreaded evlindrical portion 12 adjustably mounted in the threaded bore9, and formed with a socket portion 13 receiving the supplemental valvecasing member 14. The spout member is provided with the cylindrical bore15 10o which receives the spout structure and foam controllingmeans'assembled with and carried by the supplemental casing member.

The supplemental casing member is formed with a cooperating partialspherical i seat portion 16 in which is seated'a packing washer 17. Aspherical valve body 18 is mounted between the seat portion 2 of thecasing member l and the seat portion 16` of the supplemental casingmember, and seats 11o against the gaskets in said seat ortions and isrotatable therein. The va ve body is formed with a lurality of portsextending 'through the bo y in a predetermined manner for providingcommunication between one or more of the passages 3, 4 and 5 and thedischarge opening in the supplemental casing member. A handle assembl 20mcludes the rod 21 secured to said va 7e body and extending through thecross slots 10, the operation of which moves the valve body inaccordance with the slots 10. The intersection of the slots forms theoff position of the valve while the rod when positioned at any one ofthe ends of the slots opens one or more of the passages for discharge ofthe liquid therein in any desired predetermined manner such as set forthin the above mentioned patent.

A notched projection is formed on the supplemental casing member at 14which receives the stop pin l projecting into the slot 18 in the valvebody to prevent the supplemental casing member and valve body from beingrotated relative to each other.

The supplemental casing member is provided with an extension fitting inthe cylinder bore 15 of the outlet spout, which is of cylindrical formas at 22, and provided with the successive reduced portions 23 and 24respectively. The lower end of the extension 22 is provided with anannular flange 25 provided with a plurality of openings for the passageof carbonated or charged fluid. A cylindrical member 26 is mounted overthe periphery of flange 25 and extends beyond the reduced portions 23and 24 and forms closed annular passages therebetween The lower end ofthe cylindrical member is reduced as at 27.

The supplemental casing member is further formed with a threaded boreopening through the seat portion and receiving a threaded sleeve 28having a flange thereon to limit its application in the casing member,while the lower end is formed with an annular tapered exterior surface.The lower end of the sleeve 28 projects beyond the enlarged portion 29of the bore which is provided with communication through duct 30 withthe seat portion 16 through which duct is adapted to pass plain water.Below the enlarged portion 29, the extension 22 is formed with acylindrical bore 31 of slightly smaller diameter than the threadedportion which receives the secondary foam control sleeve 32 having theupper end provided with a tapered bore receiving in spaced relation thelower tapered end of the sleeve 28. The extension 22 is formed with acylindrical chamber 33, while the exterior surface of the control sleeve32 is formed with an annular tapered outer surface, adapted to form aseat for cooperation with the tapered annular end portion of the mainfoam controlling sleeve 34. This sleeve 34 has the upper end threadedlymounted in the threaded portion 35 of the bore, while below the chamber33 the extension 22 is formed with the chamber 36 having communicationthrough a plurality of openings with the carbonated or charged fluidpassage in the cylindrical member 26. A plurality of slots 37 provideducts for conveying carbonated or charged fluid from chamber 33 to theenlarged chamber 36 for admission through the openings in the member 14to the annular space normally existing between member 14 and the mainand secondary foam control sleeves, and for intermixture with the Huidsbeing discharged therethrough to cause foam to be generated on thedrink, of a predetermined amount. The lower end of the main foamcontrolling member has its ex terior surface reduced in diameter andknurled at 38 below the lower end of the spout member 11 so that it maybe manually adjusted for controlling the foam generation on a dispensedbeverage. A duct 39 for conveying carbonated fluid extends from thechamber 33 and opens through the scat portion 16 of the supplementalcasing member.

In the discharge of the beverage through the spout structure in eithermixed or sepa.- rate charges, the position of the main foam controlmember 34 relative to the secondary member 32 controls the amount ofcarbonated or charged fluid passing through chamber 41 for as the foamcontrol member 34 is lowered area is taken away from the slots 37 andadded to 41 and vice versa when the control is raised. The foam controlis merely a method of diverting the carbonated water from the annularpassage 27 (where areas are sulliciently large and bafiles have beenprovided to slow the water down) to the inner passage 4l, the area ofwhich being already loaded from the syrup and water already admitted isrestricted enough to cause greater speed and turbulence with theconsequent greater amount of foam. 'lhat is, by diverting carbonatedwater through the passage 27 its speed is reduced in passing through theopenings in the member 14 and the outlet area of the nozzle with thiswater passing out of passage 27 being larger than the area of sleeve 34.ermits free discharge so that no foam wil be generated,

It will be observed that the adjustment of the main foam control member34 varies the effective inlet area of the upper ends of slots 37 andregulates the assage of tbe carbonated water from chamlber 33 throughboth the slots and through the passage lietween the upper end of member34 and member 32. Thus with a Slight rotation of the member 34, the foamon the dispensed beverage may be instantl controlled. The proportion ofmixture o plain water from porlOl tion 29 with syrup admitted throughsleeve 28 is seldom varled; however, whenv it is desired to vary suchproportion the sleeve 28 ma be adjusted in its seat to vary the spaceetween its lower end and the upperend of the member 32.

A tubular channel 40 is provided in the discharge spout with its upperend adapted for registry with one of the ports 1S) of the valve body 18on the operation of the valve when it is desired to discharge eitheracoarse broken up stream of carbonated water or a stream of plain water.

In operating the valve, the dispenser when syrup carbonated water andplain water are desired, shifts the handle 21 from the central or offposition rearwardly into slot A. This connects the syrup supply pipe 5through duct 45 in valve body 18 to sleeve 28; plain water from pipe 3through duct 46 to duct 30, from which it enters 'chamber 29 and Howsbetween sleeves 28 and 32 for mixture with the syrup; and carbonatedwater from pipe 5 through duct 47 in valve 18 to duct 39 and chamber 33,

thence between the main and secondary foam control members or throughslots 37 to chamber 36 and out of annular space 27, proportionedaccording to the adjustment of the foam control sleeve 34.

Should just plain water be desired, the handle is moved into the rightinto slot B, connecting plain water supply 3 through duct 48 in valve 18with passage 40.

A coarse stream of carbonated water may be obtained by moving the handle21 into slot C, which will establish communication between pipe 5, duct49 and passage 39.

Movement of thehandle lever to slot D will provide a high speed mixingstream of carbonated water from pipe 5, through duct 50 to passage 40.

An important feature of the invention as above described residesI in themanner of assembling the parts wherein the foam control structure andsupplemental casing member 22 are an integral unit removable from thespout member and held in adjusted position in the main casing member bysaid spout member for properly retaining the valve body seated and toprevent leakage. The main valve casing having the base portion 8 furtherforms a support for the entire valve structure and cooperates with thespout member in completely housing the parts of the valve and foamcontrol and presents a neat appearance. The parts may be readilydisassembled for cleaning and repairs or replacement and are ofsubstantially simple construction and few in number providing for arelatively small cost in construction.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent of the United States is l. A mixing valve,comprising a pair of valve casing members formed for coo eration toprovide a valve seat, a valve ody mounted between said members andengaging the seat, and a spout removably and adjustably connected to oneof said casing members and engaging the other casing member formaintaining the valve, body seated, said valve body and casin membersbeing formed with passages a apted for communication with the spout andcontrolled by the operation of the valve body.

2. A mixing valve, comprising a pair of valve casing members formed forcooperation to provide a valve seat, a valve body movably mounted in thevalve seat between said casing members, said casing members being formedwith fluid passages, said valve body having ports controllingcommunication between the passages of the casing members, and meansreceiving one of said casing members and adjustably mounted in the othercasing member adapted to hold said members in assembled relation withthe valve body.

3. A mixing valve, comprising a pair of valve casing members formed forcooperation to provide a valve seat, a valve body movably mounted in thevalve seat, said casing members being formed with fluid passages, saidvalve body having ports controlling communication between the passagesof the casing members, means for retaining said valve casing members inadjustable assembled relation with the valve body, and means mounted onone of said casing members for retaining said valve body and casingmembers in a predetermined relation when assembled.

4. A mixing valve, comprisin a pair of valve casing members formed orcooperation to provide a spherical valve seat, a spherical valve bodymounted in said seat, said casing members being formed with passagesopening through said seat, said valve body having ports adapted toprovide communication between said passages in a predetermined manner,manual means for operating said valve bod and a spout member receivingone of sai casing members and adjustably connected with the other casingmember for retaining said members in adjusted position to firmly seatand encase said Valve body.

5. A mixing valve, comprising a main casing member having a base portionextending therefrom for attachment to a support, having a plurality offluid passages formed therein and a valve seat portion into which saidpassages open, a supplemental valve casing member having a cooperatingseat portion, and a discharge passage formed therein, a valve bodyformed with ports and mounted between the main and supplemental casingmembers in the seat portions thereof and manually operable to controlfluid flow ltlll through the discharge passage from the passages in saidmain casing member, and means adjustably connected with said maincasinor member receiving and mounting said supplamental casing member inassembled relation.

6. A mixing valve, comprising a main casing member having a base portionextending therefrom for attachment to a support, said casing memberbeing formed with a plurality of fluid passages and a valve seat portioninto which said passages independently open, a supplemental valve casingmember having a cooperating seat portion and a discharge passage formedtherein, a valve body formed with ports and movably mounted between themain and supplemental casing members in the seat port-ions thereof andmanually operable to control fluid flow through the discharge passagefrom the passages in said main casing member, and a s out member formedto receive and house sai supplemental casing member and adjustablyfitted in said main casing member for retaining said casing members inoperative relation With said valve body.

7. A mixing valve, comprising a valve casing provided With a pluralityof passages and formed with a valve seat, a valve body operably mountedin said seat and controlling fluid flow through said passages, saidvalve casing having a discharge spout, and means in said discharge spoutfor controlling foam generation on a beverage dispensed from said valve.

8. A mixing valve for dispensing beverages, comprising a valve casinghaving an outlet spout, said valve casing being formed with a pluralityof fluid passages and a valve seat, a valve body operably mounted insaid valve seat, and adjustable means in said valve casing forcontrolling foam generated on a beverage dispensed from said valve.

9. A mixing valve for dispensing beverages, comprising a valve casinghaving an outlet spout, said valve casing being formed with a pluralityof Huid passages and a valve seat, a valve body operably mounted in saidvalve seat, a foam controlling means removably mounted in said valvecasing and operable in said discharge spout for controlling foamgeneration on a dispensed beverage, said foam generating means includingan adjustable member for controlling the mixture of carbonated fluidwith said beverage.

10. A mixing valve for dispensing beverages, comprising a valve easinghaving an outlet spout, said valve easing being formed with a pluralityof fluid passages and a valve seat, a valve body operably mounted insaid valve seat, a foam controlling means including a cylindrical bodyremovably mounted in said discharge spout formed with earbonatcd fluidinlet passages, a sleeve member adjustably mounted in said cylindricalbody, adapted to control admission of carbonated fluid to the interiorthereof through said passages in said body for intermixture with abeverage dispensed therethrough.

11. A mixing valve, comprisin a main valve casing member formed witlzi avalve seat portion and a plurality of passages communicating therewith,a supplemental casing member formed with a cooperating valve seatportion, said supplemental casing member having a cylindrical projectionformed with a discharge passage, a main foam control member mounted insaid cylindrical projection and cooperating with a seat portion thereinfor controlling the admission of carbonated fluid to the passagetherethrough, means for adjustably mounting said supplemental casingmember in said main casing member and a valve body operably mounted insaid seat portion of said members having ports permitting andcontrolling communication between the passages in said main casingmember and said discharge passage.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM E. LEIBING.

